Freaking for no reason?!?!

Ok, so I'm 2 weeks post-op today but my weight loss has been REALLY slow.  So far I'm down 7.6 lbs. and I'm not sure what I expected but I was thinking I would've lost more than that by now. 

I left the hospital on a full liquid diet, which I just finished yesterday (I'm now onto the pureed stage starting today).  Here's what I would eat in a typical day, going by the recommendations of my surgeon & my clinic:

For breakfast I would eat:
1/4 cup of SF pudding
1/4 cup of NF yogurt

Lunch:
1/4 cup of NF yogurt
1/4 cup of 98% FF cream soup

Dinner:
1/4 cup of NF yogurt
1/4 cup of 98% FF cream soup

I have heard some of you mention that you didn't eat a 1/4 cup of food until much farther out after surgery, but I was instructed to eat 2x 1/4 cup servings of food for 3 meals a day.  I also had 2 cups of milk mixed either with Carnation Instant Breakfast or protein powder spread out into 4x 1/2 cup servings throughout the day, along with my 64 oz. of water.

Am I overeating?  Is that why I'm not really losing?  I've just been feeling really down (probably doesn't help with my hormones going crazy) with my small weight loss & I'm worried I'm going to fail at this.  My husband is being great, constantly reassuring me that things are going good & once I really get up & working out the weight will come off.

I've been walking for 30 minutes a day (except for yesterday & today due to doctor appts. & errands).  I'm also still on pain meds cuz' I'm still experiencing pain.  I've been a bit constipated, but I now have a course of action to hopefully prevent that.

If anyone has any suggestions or if you could let me know what types of things you were eating post-op it would be great to get some insight on how you guys were successful with losing weight.  I'm trying not to let the scale control how I feel each day but it's hard when I don't see much of a loss. 

Thanks for listening...

Take a DEEP BREATH and throw away that scale!!!!!!

You've just been through major major sugery. I'm sure you were retaining water (From all those IVs they put in you in the hospital). Also, you body will freak out when you start eating again in such limited amounts. Its going to try to hold on to all the fat it can. Your emotions don't help with all the estrogen flowing into your body because of the fat store being depleted.

Remember: If you're not losing weight, you're losing inches. Give yourself a break - you've been through a lot in teh past 2 weeks. I PROMISE at this point you CAN NOT FAIL! There's no way you can by following all the guidelines from your surgeon.

You're doing a fantastic job!!!

I know how you feel, well maybe not the hormone thing, I have felt the same way the past 4 weeks (only about 15 pounds), and I am only 6 weeks out.  Just hang in there, keep your spirits up and follow your doctor's guidelines.  Because remember you are in it for the long haul and it won't happen overnight or over a month.

Hey there sweets hang in there.........  You maybe losing inches as well.  Please don't sweat it....... It takes time and alot of work.  I think you are doing great so far so keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry. . .be happy!   You are losing and that's a good thing.   I was eating like you at that time and the losing starts and stops, but it will happen!   Take your measurements if you haven't already.  When you are not losing pounds, you are losing inches.   You will not fail at this.    I won't tell you to give up the scale, even tho I know it's a good idea, because I still hop on mine 3x a day.   Don't know why, it must be my new transfer addiction!

Hold on, you're in for a heck of a ride!

Tuna

Thanks for all your feedback!!  Sometimes you just need a quick 'slap upside the head' to realize what you already know...this is not a race & everyone's body loses weight at different rates.

I am going to try to limit myself to weighing in only 1 day a week (on Friday's).  This way I won't be so scale obsessed, plus the amount I lose will seem like a greater amount since it'll be spread over 7 days instead of checking the numbers daily & only seeing a couple ounces lost.

I'm adjusting to these raging hormones that have me happy one minute & the next sad & feeling sorry for myself.  I thank god for all you wonderful people on this board cuz' without you guys I'd feel so alone in this process.  It's so wonderful having people I can chat with anytime about anything that may come to mind.  Thank you all for your amazing support!!! 

Don't panic, it will be ok.  I was still up 1 pound at my 1 week check up, at my 2 week check I had lost about the same as you. (Check my profile, I'm sure I *****ed about it in there) You're on track, just stick to what you've been doing, it sounds good. Extra good that you're able to add in the 2 cups of milk w/ protein powder or CIB.  I hated CIB after surgery, but loved it before.  Course it only adds 5g of protein so you're better off adding a protein powder if you have one you like or even just tolerate.

At about 6 weeks out, I gave up the scale for the entire month. Granted it was February, the shortest month, but I did it.  Didn't weigh for the whole month, and then was of course disappointed when I didn't lose 20 pounds. I lose 8 that month.  My weight comes off in chunks. Nothing for a few days, then 3 or 4 then nothing for a week, then 2 then 2 days later 2, then nothing for 5 days, then 1 more.  I think that happens to a lot of people. As hard as is it not to focus on the scale, try not to.  Definitely measure yourself so you can keep tabs that way, and just be aware of progress you're making physically. Things you can do easier, clothes feeling a little looser.  I was feeling really week for a long time, but I think that's because I didn't force myself to exercise. It's great you're walking 30 minutes a day. Keep that up.

You're doing great, just try not to freak out . Come on line and vent.  I found my surgery month board helpful, lots of people going through the same thing at the same time as me.  Have you been to Nov09 surgery board?

It's good to know that even though your weight loss may have been slow you've lost so much in almost a year.  I know I have to stop freaking out...stop letting the scale control me.  I'm gonna weigh-in tomorrow & then have my hubby hide the scale for a week.  I'll just weigh-in once a week from now on & see how that goes. 

I have been on the Surgery Date board (November 2009) and there's some great people on there too.  I just find it a little hard right now reading how people who had surgery around the same day as me have already lost 20 lbs. or more.  I'm soooo happy for them & just frustrated with myself.  I know it's not a race, and my weight will come off at it's own pace, I just need to have some patience.  It's definitely something I need to work on.  LoL! 

Are you coming to coffee on Saturday?  It's in Burnsville right?

Yes Burnsville, not sure if I'm going yet.  I usually decide last minute- would love to though. 

I used to get frustrated with others losing faster too. One thing in particular, it's hard to know if peoples' ticker is showing their total lost, or total since surgery. Such a big difference depending on how they've set it up.

I'm a "slow loser" here too.. I don't lose for three weeks at all, then BAM 8-10 pounds.. I'm averaging 10 pounds a month.. Which honestly, if I keep at the rate I'm going, at one year it will be 124 pounds and I will have nothing to ***** about.

It is VERY hard to see folks on here that lose 100 pounds by 6 months and I am no where near that.. However.. that is THEIR journey.. this is mine...

Hang in there.. it gets easier to accept your bodies timing ..

Stephanie